Garment bagging device



1958 R. M. SCHULTZ GARMENT BAGGING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1954 INVENTOR. 772 54'% Nov. 25, 1958 R. M. SCHULTZ GARMENT, BAGGING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1954 United States Patent GARMENT BAGGING DEVICE Roy M. Schultz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Bishop David Freeman Co., a corporation of Illinois Application May 28, 1954, Serial No. 432,996

11 Claims. (Cl. 53-256) This invention relates to dry cleaning equipment and more particularly toa device for bagging a hangersuspended garment.

The bagging of a finished garment has always been an awkward and frequently a time-consuming operation, particularly when a large number of garments of varying styles are to be bagged. In many dry cleaning establishments it has become the customary practice to sort the garments into various groups according to stylesuch as coats, suits, blouses, etc.prior to bagging thereof so f that garment bags of only one particular length will be required to bag a particular group of garments. r. This practice is undesirable in that considerable time is lost It is a further object of this inventionto provide a garment bagging device which is simple and compact in construction, effective in operation, and inexpensive to produce.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

Inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention, a garment bagging device is provided comprising a base and an upright elongated member mountedthereon. Extending transversely from the member and mounted in spaced relation thereon above the base are a plurality of bag racks. Mounted on the base and adjacent the elongated member is an upright, extensible garment support which is adapted tobe extended to substantially the same height as the bag racks above the base.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the bagging device showing various size garment bags arranged thereon;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the device;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device;

Fig. 4 is a right side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the extensible hanger support having portions thereof cut away to expose the element for retaining the support in an extended position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the locking mechanism for the hanger support taken along line 66 of Fig. 7 and showing the mechanism in gripping relation with respect to the support;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the locking mechanism for the hanger support taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig.8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of one of the locking jaws' taken along line 88 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the foot pedal spring assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, a device is shown for facilitating bagging hanger-suspended garments. The device comprises a base or stand 10, a column 11 mounted on the base and extending upwardly therefrom, a plurality of transversely extending bag racks 12a, 12b, and 120 mounted in longitudinal. spaced relationship on column or stanchion 11, and an elongated hanger support 13 mounted in an upright position on base 10 and spaced from column 11. e

The base 10, in this instance, is constructed of relatively heavy material and is substantially convex or domeshaped in form. Extending transversely from base 10 area pairof diametrically-opposed tabs 14. Each tab is provided with a'suitable opening '14, see Fig. 3, through which an anchoring bolt may pass for perma:

nentlyv securing the device to the floor. Mounted centrally i on base 10 and extending upwardly therefrom is a socket 15 which is adapted to receive the lower end of column 11. Suitable brace members 16 are provided on the base for supporting columnll in its uprightposition.

Column llis formed of pipelike material and com-' prises lower and upper. sections 11a and 11b, respectively. The upper section-11b has a diameter slightly less than that of lower. section 11a and is adapted to have the lower, end of section 11b "seated within the upper end of section 11a andsecured thereto by means of a screw 17.

Bagracks 12a and 121) are mounted on column section 11b inlongitudinal spaced relationship with respect to one another .v .Bag rack 12acomprises asubstantially U-shaped portion. 19 and an inverted L-shapedarm'23 I secured by welding or'. any other suitable means'to the bight section 1.8 of the U -shaped portion 19. One leg 20 of U,-shaped portion 19 is secured by welding orany other suitable means to the top 22 of column section 1111. Theother leg 21 of-portion 19 is disposed slightly above leg 20, as seen in Fig. 4. The longer segment 23' of L-shaped arm 23 is arranged in parallel relation with respect to legs Hand 21 but beneath the plane formed thereby, As shownjn Fig. .1, legs 20 and 21 are adapted to support'a plurality of. long or coat-length size garment bags 24. The open ends 25.0f the bags 24 are disposed adjacent the hanger support 13 to facilitate slipping of the bags over the hanger-suspended garment positioned on the upper end of support13. A plurality of medium or suit-length size garment bags 26 are draped over the segment 23 of arm 23, as seen-in Fig.1, with the open ends 27 thereof likewise disposed adjacent hanger support 13.

The second bag rack 12b, asheretofore mentioned,

mounted on column section 11b beneath rack 12a. Rack 12b is substantially U.-shaped and is disposed in'a plane substantially perpendicular'with respect to the axis of column section 11b. One leg 28 of rack 12b is secured by welding or any other suitable means to column section 11b. The other leg 30 of rack 12b is adapted to have a plurality of short or shirt sizergarrnent bags 31 draped thereover, as seen in Fig. l, with the open ends 32 thereof adjacent the hanger support 13.

Mounted on the .upper portion of column section 11a is a transversely extending tray 33 having a hub 34 secured to one side thereof for embracing column section 11a. The tray 33 may be swung about the column section 11a to any desired position to. suit the convenience of the operator. The tray 33 may be held in any selected position with respect to column section 11a by a holding screw 35 which is threaded into hub 34.

Mounted on the underside "of tray 33 and extending downwardlytherefrom is a U-shaped-memberfifi which is adapted to have hung thereon a plurality of garment hangers not shown. The tray 33 enables the invoice slips? Iiinifetcafnot-'shownyto be disp'o'sed withinmasy reach of'the operatorwhile bagging garments? Positioned beneath tray 33 and mounted transversely on cluirinse'ction*11a is' a-third"bagd'ack'fici hRaclc a is substantially M-shaped and has the center leg37 thereof foreshortened. SecHredtd the-free end of leg efl huh- 38 whichf embraces the column section 11a. The raclc 120 is 'held in afi'xedpositiofi on column-sectionl'la by a bolt '39 whichextends through suitable openings formed in huh-38 and= column 'section 11a; "The outer? legs 40 and 41 of rack--12c'aredisposed'-on opposite sides-: of column section lla'r' as seen in Fig 3. The legs 37, 40, 'andT41 'are arranged in a plate-substantially. perpcndicular with respect to the axis of column section 11a. -"The'outer' legs and41 of rack1'2c are adapted"- to support'a pluralityof reserve garment bags.42"and' 20 43, respectively; as s'een'in Fig. 1'.

The hanger support 13, which, as heretoforemen tioned is mountedin an upright position on base .10, comprises an outer casing member 42,"the lowerend of which is secured by welding or any other suitable means '25 to a lateral hollow extension 43 of the base 10, as seen in Fig. 5. The casing 42, in this instance, is cylindrical in shape and' has" telescopically mounted'therein a' post or rodlike member 44. Fixed to the upperor exposed end o'f post'44 is a bifurcated piece 45 having a slot.46 '30 formed therein for receiving the hook portion of a garmen't hanger,not. shown; One finger 46a of the -piece 45, disposed adjacent the operator side of the device,f is relatively'shorter thanthe other finger 46b thus'facilitafi ing engagement and disengagement of the hange'rl'with 35 the piece 45.

The lowe'rend44a of post 44 terminates within casing" 42 a'nd'has secured thereto'by welding or any other suitablem'eans' a -sole piece'or disc 47. The diameter of the disc 'is less than the inside diameter of the casing 42 there- '40 by permitting the disc to move freely in an axial direction i relative to the-casing member 42. A radially extending slot,"not shown, in form in one side of the disc 47 for a purpose to be hereinafter discussed. Adhesively secured to the underside of disc 47 is a cushion 48 formed of soft-resilien't-material such as felt or rubber. Cushion 48 is likewise provided with a radialjslot' at one side thereof," not shown, which is of substantially the same size and'shape as the slot formed in disc 47 and is in registration 'therewith. Mounted on post 44 adjacent the lower end 4411 thereof is a bayonet piece 50 which, as seenin Fig. 5, is disposed within the space or clearance formed between the interior of casing 42 and the periphcry of the post 44. The upper portion of the bayonet piece' 50 is spaced from the periphery of post 44 and 5 its function'and operation will be discussed hereinafter.

Disposed within casing 42 adjacent its upper end is. a release 51 for the locking mechanism 59, shown in Figs.

5 and '6' and to be hereinafter discussed. Therelease 51 c'omprisesa collar or bushing 52 whichembraces the peripheryof post'44 and has an inside diameter of suchdim'ension as to permit' the post-44 to freely move axially thereof. The collar 52, in turn, is free to move longitudinally independently of casing 42 or post 44. The bayonet piece 50 mounted on the lower end of post 44 65 is adaptedto pass collar 52 and strike the washer 73 when'said post is extended to its fullest extent and thereby prevents disengagement of post 44 and :casing 42. Secui'ed'by welding .or any other suitable meansto one side of collar 52 is an elongated pusher rod 53 which 70 is disposed parallel to the axis of rod 44 and is disposed within the jclearanceformed intermediatethe peripheryof rod and-the interior of casing 42. I The elongatedrod 53 terminates at its lower endin a transverselyextendihidisc '53 whichis of substantially-.the sanieshape :75

as the disc 47, heretofore mentioned as being secured to the'lowcr'endof post 44, and is disposed in coincident"" relation therewith. Protruding downwardly from the underside of disc 53' is an elongated stud-54 which is adapted to project through a suitable opening 55 formed in the upper side of base extension 43. The axis of stud S4, in this instance, is ofiset with respect to the axis of rod 44. A cushion piece 56, similar to the cushion 48 heretofore describedjis adhesively secured to the undersurface of disc 53'. The function of the two cushions 48 and 56 is to absorb'the 'shock resultingwhen the" rod 44, while' retracting within casing 42, strikes the bottom of such casing. Suitable slots are formed'in disc 53' and cushion 56 to accommodate stud 54 and elongated rod 53. The slotsformed in disc 47 and cushion 48, not shown, are for a similar purpose-namely, to permit elongated rod 53 to move independently thereof.

The locking. mechanism 59, which is adapted to lock.- the "post4'4 fagainst='retraction,' once the post has' beeh' extended'bey'ond' a certain point,'is shown more clearly I in Figs..6 and .7. The locking mechanism 59 campuses: in thislinstance, three gripping jaws 57a, 57b' "and 575 whichi'are arranged symmetrically" about the periphery. of post-44, see'Fig'. 7. A suitable clearance 58 is provided between the jaws so as to permit relative'movei ment'o'f said jaws toward or away from the axis'of post 44. "The interionsurface 60 'of each of 'the jaws is concave to conform to the periphery of post 44 and is .I adapted. to grip saidperiphery when the jaws'movein a direction toward the 'axis of said post.

It is' to be noted thatthe upper end portion of the post 44 is'of smaller diameter than the remairiderof the' post. The'rea'son forthis size differential is that 'the jaws "57ac I cannot automatically grip the upper end of the post and.-

thus,if the p'ostfshoul'd rebound upwardly-upon striking the bottorn'of the casing 42, the post will be capable 'of assuming a fully retracted-position without interference fromflthe'jaws.

Each of the jaws'is of like construction and therefore, onlyone; 57a,will be described in detail. An elongated. recess or. pocket 61 is formed in the outer periphery of the jaw"'57a which is adapted to receive, in this instance, a spiralt'ype spring'62 and a steel ball 63 contacting. the wide'end' of the spring; the function of the spring and ball will become apparent hereinafter. -The. base: of thep'ocket 61,'as seen in Fig. 6, is tapered in suchv a way "that 'the lower end of the recess extends into the jaw a greater distancethan the upper endof the recess-r Theefiecfof the tapered base is that the ball 63, which is disposed between the'base of the recess and the tapered surface '66 of piece 65 will be more readily brought into.--. and out "of 'wedging relation with the jaw and annular piece-65. The latter piece 65 will be described more I fully hereinaftef. The 'outside dimension of the lower. end 72 of the jaw 57a is reduced in size to form a shoulder 64." The'steel ball 63 which is disposed within pocket 61, is adapted to contact the tapered inner sur-'* face 6'6of an annular cup-shaped piece 65,=the. latter being disposed 'in encircling .relation. with respect to the! jaws. 'Th'e tapered surface 66 of the piece 65 cooperatesv with the'basc of pocket 61 to form a'wedge-shaped' space 67 in which the ball-63 is disposed- The spring.62 is adapted to urge ball 63 downwardly 'into contact with tapered surface 66. The jaws 57a-c are under tension ai by reason of a'spring 70 disposed thereabove whichiencompasses the post 44 and'is adapted to engage awasher. 2. or ring 68,-which rests on the upper surface of eachiof said jaws. The spring 70 engages, at its upper. endf'a cover or cap Z4 which encloses-the various parts -of the" mechanism= 59 and is adapted to protecttsuc'h parts against dirt. The cover 74 is threadably mounted to the upper end of casing 42.-

The cup piece 65,- heretofore mentioned; has=an annular inwardly extending flange171 'formedat the"under'side*-=* thereof which is adapted to embrace the post 44 and 'beengaged by the shoulder 64 formed on each of the jaw pieces. The diameter of the opening formed by flange 71 is relatively large as compared to the outer periphery of post 44 so as to permit the reduced lower end 72 of each of the jaws 57ac to extend therebetween. The cup piece 65 rests on a retaining washer 73 which is disposed between the lower end of cup piece 65 and the upper threaded end of the casing 42. The inside diameter of the washer 73 is likewise sufficiently large so as to permit the release collar 52, when moved upwardly relative to the casing, to contact the reduced end 72 of each of the jaws to effect relative upward movement of the jaws to a point wherein the balls 63 become unwedged between the tapered surface 66 of piece 65 and the base of the pockets 61 formed in jaws 57a-c whereby the latter will release their grip on the periphery of post portion 44a. Cap or cover 74 is locked in position on the threaded end of casing 42 by a lock screw 75, see Fig. 6.

To effect upward relative movement of the release collar 52, a pedal 76 is provided which is pivotally mounted at point 77 to the sides of the base extension 43. A portion 76a of the pedal 76, disposed to one side of the pivotal axis 77, is concealed within the base extension 43 and is adapted to contact the lower end of depending stud 54 when the pedal is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 5. A second portion 76b of the pedal 76, which is disposed on the opposite side of axis 77 and protrudes outwardly from base extension 43, is adapted to be engaged by the foot of the operator when retraction of post 44 is desired. The pedal portion 76a is biased in a clockwise direction by a spring assembly 78 disposed within base extension 43 only before pedal 76 is depressed. The spring assembly 78, as shown more clearly in Fig. 9,

' formed in the bifurcated piece 45; (c) the operator comprises a T-shaped member 80 having the cross portion 80a thereof of tubular construction and adapted to accommodate a bearing rod 80'; the latter being pivotally supported by the opposing upright sides of base extension 43. The stem portion 80b of the member 80 extends transversely from substantially the center of portion 80a and terminates at its outer end 800 within a buffer piece 81. The buffer piece 81 at one end 82 is provided with a center bore 83 which is adapted to slidably receive the end 800 of stem 80b, see Fig. 9. The bore 83 is countersunk from its outer or opposite end a predetermined distance so as to form a shoulder 84. A large fiat 'head screw 85, in this instance, is threaded axially into stem end portion 80c and has the periphery of the screw contacting shoulder 84. If desired, screw 85 may be omitted and the end portion 800 flared outwardly a slight amount to contact the shoulder 84 subsequent to piece 81 being positioned on stem 80b. The outer end of piece 81 is bifurcated or provided with a V-shaped notch or groove 86 which is adapted to receive the adjacent edge of pedal portion 76a. The buffer piece 81 is urged axially of the stem in a direction to the left, as seen in Fig. 9, by a coil spring 87 which embraces stem portion 80b and is disposed between crossportion 80a and the end 82 of buffer piece 81. By reason of the spring tension on buffer piece 81 and the relative dispositions of the pivotal axes 77 and 80 of the pedal 76 and member 80, respectively, the piece 81 is adapted to urge the pedal 76 to normally assume either a down position, as shown in Fig. 5, or an up position. When pedal 76 is depressed by the operator, the assembly 78 and pedal 76 are held in an up position by spring 87 whereby jaws 57a-c are moved out of gripping relation with post 44 so that the latter is free to retract. Upon post 44 reaching the bottom of its retracting stroke, the depending pin 54, formed on post 44, strikes pedal 76 and returns the latter and assembly 78 to the position shown in Fig. 5. When this position is reached, the jaws 57a-c are returned to their normal position and are ready to grip the post upon extension of the latter to a predetermined height.

In using the bagging device, the operator(a) raises the post 44 to the desired height, depending upon the straightens the garment on the hanger and checks the appearance of the garment; (d) a bag is then selected from one of the group of bags draped over'the adjacent rack and pulled down over the garment to enclose the same therein; and (e) the operator then grasps the hook portion of the hanger and pulls the bagged garment upwardly and at the same time depresses pedal 76, thereby releasing the locking mechanism 59 whereby the post 44 is free to,

retract into housing 42. The bagged garment is pulled upwardly a sufficient amount by the operator so that the open end of the bag will clear the upper end of the post 44 when the latter is fully retracted in the casing 42.

Thus it will be seen that a garment bagging device has been provided which is adapted to accommodate all types of garments for bagging and is provided with adequate means for storing a plurality of garment bags and hangers thereon. Furthermore, the device is of compact construction and'is easily manipulated by the operator.

While a particular embodiment of this invention is shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall 7 comprising a base, an upright post mounted on said base,

a plurality of transversely extending cantilever type elongated bag racks mounted in vertically spaced relation on said postand at a predetermined height above said base, and an upright support mounted on said base in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to said post, said support including a stationary lower section and an upwardly extensible upper section, means mounted on said support for automatically locking said upper section against retraction with respect to said lower section when said upper section is in a selected extended position, and manually operated'releasing means operatively connected to said locking means to effect unlocking thereof, when manually operated in only one direction.

2. In a garment bagging device having an extensible upright support for a hanger-suspended garment, said support being provided with a stationary section and an extensible section, the improvement comprising a locking unit for automatically locking the extensible support section against retraction from a selected extended position, said unit including a plurality of relatively spaced jaws disposed within the stationary support section and arranged in a substantially transverse encircling relation with respect to the extensible section and movable into and out of gripping relation with respect to the latter a relatively fixed cam member carried by the stationary support section and encompassing all of said jaws, the surface of said cam member adjacent said jaws being a substantially downwardly incline funnel-shape and having an inwardly extending shoulder formed adjacent the lower end thereof for limiting downward movement of said jaws with respect to said cam member, a plurality of wedgeable elements disposed intermediate said cam surface and said jaws, first biasing means carried by said jaws and contacting said elements for biasing the latter into wedging relation and effecting gripping of the extensible support section by said jaws, second biasing means carried within the stationary support section and biasing said jaws in a direction toward the shoulder of said cam member, and release means movable independently of said jaws and cam member for simultaneously contacting all of said jaws and effecting upward movement'thereof relative to said cam member and effecting unwedging of said elements.

3. ,A device for bagging a garment comprising a base,

with respect to said member and being provided with an upwardly extensible portion, and releasable means mounted on'said support for locking the"extensible portion thereof against retraction from a selected extended 15 position; said bag'rack including 'a-pair of elongated relatively spaced arm means interconnected to 'o'ne'another 10 and'havingpne set of corresponding ends thereof in spaced relation to permit hanging a pluralityof garment bagsthereover upon movement 'of the bags-*endwise of the arm means.

4. A device for bagging a garment comprisinga base,

an elongated member mounted upright on said base,-an elongated'cantilever type-bag rack,-'on whicha" plurality of garment bags are hung thereover upon movement of the bags endwise of saidrack, the latter beingmounted transversely on said member at a predeterminedheight-- from said base, an elongated garment support mounted upright on said base in spaced 'relationwith-respect' to said member and being provided with an upwardly extensi-" ble portion, and releasable means' mounted on said"sup-' port for automatically locking the extensible portionthere of against retraction from a selected extended position.

5. A device for bagging a garment comprising a base, an elongated member mounted-upright on said "base,";a substantially U-shaped bag rack having a pair .of substantially parallel arms mounted transversely on' said member at a predetermined height from said base,'.one. of said pair of substantially parallel arms beingdisposed' closer to said base than the other'arm, an elongated 'gar. ment support mounted upright on said base in spaced relation with respect to said member and beingiproyided I with an upwardly extensible portion, and releasable'means mounted on said support for automatically locking said extensible portion against retraction from a selected extended position.

6. A device for bagging a garment comprising a base,

an elongated member mounted upright on said base,- a bag rack affixed to said member at a predetermined height from said base, an 'elongatedgarment support mounted on said base in substantially parallel spaced relationvwith respect to said member and being provided with an up 1 wardly extensible portiomand releasable means mounted on said support for automatically locking said extensible portion against retraction from a selected extended position; said rack including a plurality of substantially'paral-f lel, relatively spaced, horizontally'extending arms interconnected to one another at one end, the opposite ends 7 of said arms being relatively spaced to permit a plurality of garment bags to be hung thereo-ver upon movement" of the bags endwise of the arms.

7. A device for bagging a garment comprising a base,v .5

an elongated member mounted upright on said'base a bag rack afiixed to said member at a predetermined height; I

frorrr'said. base, an elongated garment support mounted.

the bagsr-endwise of thearms; said arms being disposed-2' at different heights frornzsaid base. i

8. A device .for bagging a garment comprising af'baseg": an upright member mounted on said base; a transversely extending bag rack mounted on said member at a: fixed heightvfrom said base, an upwardly extensible garment support mounted on saidtbase andt'in spaced substantially, parallel relation twith:said"member, and releas-ableimeans mounted on said garmentisupport for automatically iloclc-- ing said support againstretractionfrom a selected ex-:

tended position', -said'- rack including a'pair of elongated,

spaced substantially-eoextensive 'arms interconnected -to one another and havingo-ne set of corresponding ends thereof in' relatively spaced relationto permit removal of garment-bags transversely-jof said arms. 9. A device for bagging a-hanger-suspended garment,

comprising a -base,-an elongated upright member-mounted i on said base, a cantilever-typerack over which a-p'lurality' r of garmentbag's maybe hung andremoved transverselyof said rack,-rnounted on saidmember at a predetermined" l height above saidbase, an upright hanger support mounted on said base in spaced relation :with respect-"to :saidmember, said support having a fixed first portion secured-'- to said base and an extensible second portion whereby said support" may be adjusted'to substantially'the same height as said bag rack, and releasable means carried on said support and-encompassing-said' second-portion for restraining retracting movement 'of said" second portion from a selectedextended position, said means *includinga plurality of relatively spaced jaws disposed in substantially symmetrical relation" about the periphery of said support second 'portion'and movable laterally and lon'gi-" tudinally independently thereof into "and out of gripping relation'therewith',-a fixed cam member carried onsaid support'firstiportion and encompassing butspaced from said jawsfithe surfac'eof said cam adjacent saidja'ws beingon saidbase', acantilever type rack, over which a plurality of garment bags may be hung and removed transversely of said rack, mounted on said member a predetermined height above said base, an upright hanger. support mounted on said base in spaced relation with respect to said memher, said support having a, fixed upright first portion-and a movable second portion in telescoping relation therer with and extensible to substantially the sameheightfas said rack, and releasable means carriedvon said support 1 for restraining only 'retractive movement of said support second portion, said means including a plurality of rela-.

tively spaced jaws'disposed withinsaid first portion and.

arranged symmetrically about the peripheryrof said support second'portion andbeing movable laterally and longia tudinally independently of the latter into and out :of

gripping .relationtherewith, an annular cam member car-l, ried on said fixedsupport portion in encompassing rela-t tion with respectto said jaws, a plurality of independently movable wedge elements disposed intermediate =said jawsv and the adjacent surface of said cam memberfor wedg-fl ing therebetween and effecting gripping of the periphery of said support second portion: by said jaws,-and spring means. carried by said jawsland biasing said-wedge elements into wedged relation with respect to said-jaws 11. A device for bagging .a hanger-suspended garment: t

comprising a base,:an elongated upright member mounted a: 1

on said 'base' a rackmounted on said member a predetermined height above said basebeing providedIv/ith a r pluralityof relatively spaced, substantially. parallel, i hori-i zontally disposed arms; over which a plurality of garment bags are hung, one set of corresponding ends of said arms being reatively spaced with respect to one another to permit removal of bags transversely of the arms, an upright hanger support mounted on said base in spaced relation with respect to said elongated member, said support having a fixed first portion and a second portion extensible relative thereto to substantially the same height as the arms of said rack, locking means carried on said support for automatically locking said extensible support second portion against retraction and releasing means cooperating with said locking means to effect unlocking of the latter upon actuation of said releasing means in one direction; said releasing means including a first element having a portion thereof disposed within said fixed support first portion and adjacent said locking means but normally out of contact with the latter and being movable independently longitudinally of said first and second support portionsinto contact with said locking means and elfect release of the latter, a pedal pivotally mounted on said base and having a portion thereof for contacting said first element upon pivoting of said pedal in one direction and efiecting movement of said first element longitudinally of said support portions, and a biasing unit pivotally mounted on said base and contacting said pedal portion to form a toggle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 346,784 Stanford Aug. 3, 1886 2,069,690 Wells et a1. Feb. 2, 1937 2,168,962 Schoenlaub Aug. 8, 1939 2,385,996 Kohl Oct. 2, 1945 2,532,232 Jensen Nov. 28, 1950 2,747,824 Darnell May 29, 1956 

